Imo, TT2 is flatter than H2. H2 is the warmest among Chord dacs. Both dont have amazing mid unfortunately and would benefit from nice tube amps.
Not quite sure where I'll end up putting it just yet, but I love it!
There is something incredibly peaceful about listening to IEMs and building Lego.
I mistook it for plastic modelling initially. On closer look, discovered it was actually Lego.
Which FAudio iem is that silver one?I haven't seen any comparisons between the FAudio Spring vs the FAudio Major, so I thought I would share my opinions given I have owned both for a while. I think it's important given the Spring uses a second-gen driver based on the Major's driver.
Both IEMs use single DDs with a double diaphragm design - one being made out of titanium, and the other one out of fiber. The main differences are that the Major's driver is a bit larger (10.5mm vs 10.2mm) and the Major's sound tube is made out of pure copper, while the Spring's sound tube is made out of stainless steel.
Sorry for the ugly photos
Despite using similar drivers, their sound is completely different. The Major is V-shaped with a slow-ish bass decay, rumbly subbass and an aggressive treble, while the Spring is mostly neutral with slightly elevated midbass and airy treble.
I struggled for a long time to find tips that I liked with the Major, and I almost gave up on it (I actually listed it for sale). However, I could always tell the mids on the Major were special. No matter what tips you use, you can just hear so much information and micro details in the mids with it. It's so detailed and technical, you could swear you're listening to a hybrid at times. I finally settled with the Sony EP-EX11 eartips (imagine a Final Type E but with similar feel to an Eletech Baroque) to tame the treble, and I can see why people loved it when it originally got released. It's almost sorcery how a single DD that's bassy can give you that much information. Also worth noting that the soundstage is mostly tall with decent width.
If I were to describe the Spring with a few words, I would say it sounds sweet, beautiful, and delicate. If I had to stay with only one IEM out of my collection, I would keep only the Spring. It's just so versatile, and it will play everything you throw at it well. The bass is not its main point, but it's fast and hits with authority. The mids don't throw as many details at you as the Major, but the beautifully tuned treble makes up for it. I also find it works with so many more eartips. Personally, I like it the most with the Tangzu Sancai Balanced, the Eletech Baroque, and the Spinfit CP100.
I feel like they don't really compete with each other, as they're different enough that you can keep both in your collection. I pick up the Major when I want a 'Hi-Fi' listening session with a highly dynamic sound that also shows me all of the hidden background voices, claps, whispers, etc. I pick up the Spring if I just want to relax and listen to some beautiful music.
BONUS: A photo of my FAudio Sample with a CanJam case:
It's an unreleased IEM. I believe it's the next single DD they're working on right now, but I don't have much information on what driver they're using for this. The shell isn't aluminum like the rest of their single DDs, and the magnet is way stronger. If you try to put them together, you can feel the IEMs repelling each other, which the Spring and Major don't do. It's also easier to drive and has a W shaped tuning with SERIOUS bass.
I almost needed a Rosetta Stone to read that and I seemed to have step on your toes there so let me clarify my train of thought here:
I have no more desktop stuff as of now. Only portable
Nope, I found a reasonably priced BNOB unit at my local dealer, but will pick it up next month. Someone bought it but changed his mind and sold it by the time the unit arrived lol
Okay, thanks for the advice guys!
Yeah, I think the elasticity/rubbery feel from most Elysian IEMs' DD bass is simply not the cup of tea for a lot of people. I personally find it decent - no, not that underwhelming for the price - but definitely not a strong aspect of Anni. Actually, I liked Apostle's bass more because the elasticity pushed to a higher degree to the point it gives a stronger character for the bass texture (the funny thing is the first time I heard Apostle, I couldn't describe the bass texture with a better word than "rubbery", and then it turns out that LSR DD literally mean liquid silicon "rubber" lol)
Not gonna lie, I am even thinking of selling my Jewel rn lol, GM with Vocal Switch on is a better-tuned W-shape sound to my ears with only a slightly worse treble raw resolution.
A fellow single DD enthusiast! Just now viewing from laptop and can see your signature. I had the MG600 and FAudio Dark Sky at one point...although, I have to say my current collections sounds better than them as far as I can recall.
Are you Sheldon?
Always love it when someone shares their passion for Lego. That Rex looks awesome!
Here's mine: figs stored in acrylic case with a DIY Death Star backdrop.
Oh, I've never tried D's Audio. I looked them up, and, apparently, their store is in Sim City in Mong Kok. For some reason I've never seen their store, even though I've been to that building many times. Actually, Ice Lab is in that same building. Anything you recommend from them?
Oh I love Miyabi Mk.II, but I am not sure how the Sho special edition sound at the 1000 USD MRP they were originally in. USD 250 certainly seems to be a very attractive pricing, but I think the bullet shape somewhat restricts the sound to achieve the expanse that one would expect from an iem in kilobuck category. Although 250 USD can surely be spent to test its capability - depends on if someone wants it or not.Oh, I've never tried D's Audio. I looked them up, and, apparently, their store is in Sim City in Mong Kok. For some reason I've never seen their store, even though I've been to that building many times. Actually, Ice Lab is in that same building. Anything you recommend from them?
I also see you like an intime IEM. I've always wanted to try them, but never spared the time to do so, even though they're super easy to audition in Hong Kong. I recently saw somebody selling their flagship intime 翔 Show Special Version for around USD 250 in a local audio forum. Can't say I'm not tempted to buy it blind.
Matters little to me what you call it. You can be as skeptical or open-minded as you want. I am not at all defending this product. I have never heard it. Therefore I would not trash it, either. I just don't agree with a lot of your assumptions, especially your subjective hierarchy of sound-changes. There are so many components and devices for so many aspects of a playback system with so many different levels of change they introduce to that system, that I simply cannot lump them all together according to their general tech. I really don't want to get into a prolonged debate, just to add that every single consumer device I have ever used - ever - has been imperfect in some way. I absolutely do not subscribe to the idea that if there is a beneficial technology out there that is proven to work, then of course a manufacturer would include it in their product. That notion is simply not supported by my experience. Every single piece of audio equipment I have ever owned could theoretically be improved in some way.
